Overview & Reviews

Swedish-born Volvo has long been a forerunner in safety research, and its vehicles have the crash test scores to prove it. These days, the brand has improved its offerings by crafting vehicles that also offer generous amounts of style and performance.

In Latin, the word "Volvo" means "I roll." Volvo cars have been rolling ever since 1927, when the first vehicle (nicknamed "Jakob") was produced in the city of Gothenburg. The company's founders, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson, put an emphasis on safety, and that dictum still holds true today. The Jakob was joined by the six-cylinder PV651 in 1929, and by 1931, more than 10,000 Volvos had been produced.

Postwar, Volvo unveiled one of its biggest successes, the PV444. By the 1950s, Volvo had begun exporting cars to the U.S., and the PV444 — with its compact size and stylish looks — helped the manufacturer quickly make a name for itself in its new territory. The decade also saw Volvo building on its reputation for being a vanguard in the area of safety; it was the first manufacturer to make vehicles with a three-point safety belt.

The 1960s saw the launch of a new Volvo sports car, the P1800. The car's sculpted good looks helped earn it celebrity status when it was featured on the long-running TV series The Saint, with Roger Moore behind the wheel. Safety features grew more advanced during this decade and Volvo was again at the forefront of the action, offering features such as padded dashboards and energy-resistant crumple zones in front and rear.

Volvo distinguished itself as the exclusive home to a number of valuable new technologies during the 1970s. If you were looking for safety features such as childproof locks, collapsible steering columns and rear-facing child seats during this decade, you'd only find them in a Volvo.

Like BMWs and Saabs, Volvos became an American "yuppie" favorite during the 1980s. The company proved its technological know-how wasn't just limited to safety when it rolled out its first turbocharged car. By the end of the decade, Volvo had unveiled new models like the front-wheel-drive 480 hatchback (for Europe) and the Italian-designed 780 coupe.

In the early '90s, Volvo launched the 850. The car was Volvo's first front-wheel-drive executive car, and teamed performance with the company's trademark attention to safety. The decade also saw Volvo rolling out new models like the S40 and C70 — cars that updated the automaker's boxy image with a more rounded, sculpted aesthetic. The company became part of the Ford family when it was acquired by the automaker in 1998. Ford helped Volvo financially, while Volvo provided Ford with new safety technologies and car platforms. Due to Ford's financial troubles during the American recession, however, Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese automaker Geely in 2010.

It's unknown how Volvo's new owner will guide the brand long term, but chances are Volvo will continue to offer sedans, coupes and SUVs known for their combination of safety and driving excitement.

User Reviews:

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  Volvo C70 - one owner experience - 2007 Volvo C70
  By David Assegi - November 28 - 2:33 pm

  More fun in a Volvo than one could imagine. It is different too. Swedish cool that turns heads without being ostentatious. There are dozens of BMWs out there. So if you want something that does pretty much exactly the same thing, but isnt "me too", go for the C70.

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  a good allround car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By mark - November 26 - 10:50 pm

  I bought the 2002 s60 base model in 2003. This is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. VERY SAFE! I worked for years in a trauma room and wanted a safe car and this is it. VERY comfortable too. Most comfy seats of ANY car! performance is fine for a comfort sedan, but its not a BMW, ppl! If u want a BMW sports car, but it. This is a comfort/safety car. VERY reliable. 6 years and NO problems! Upgraded foglights and headlights (replaced crappy ones with xenon). Luxurious, thick leather! Smooth, comfy ride. Feel safe, which u should in a volvo. Expensive maintenance, but well worth it. I am VERY happy with this. DO NOT buy the Turbo, u lose LOTS reselling it cuz they know u hotrodded it

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  My 2004 Volvo XC 90 Experience...So Far - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Charles Paakkari - November 22 - 11:13 pm

  So Far its been a great car. Drive and handling are amazing. It is truly the safest SUV on the planet. All crash and rool tests agree on that. Equally at home in the snow or in Beverly Hills.

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  Smooth ride - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By augie - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Ive have always been told that Volvo was a safe car to drive. I did not realize it until I went to look for myself. I was amazed by all the safety features in the XC90, especially the stabiity control and anti-roll system. The ride is real smooth and plenty of power. We looked at MB M350, BMW X5, Nissan Murano, Infiniti FX35, Toyota Sequoia, GMC Yukon. The X5 was our second choice. I just wish the fuel tank was larger. At 18 mpg you dont get too far on 19 gallons.

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  Forget Mini check out Volvo - 2011 Volvo C30
  By Lauren - November 16 - 10:00 am

  I thought I loved my 2007 Mini S convertible, but 2 weeks after warranty ran out I had to pay $500 on maintenance after I had just spent a $1000 replacing my run flat tires, I decided to get out before I spent well more than that car was worth...I am so glad that I did. My 2011 C30 is refreshing and my passengers love the upgrade. It is the perfect car for me. I am in my early 30s married with no children, so I rarely have back seat passengers (a must for this car). This car so sophisticated with out being boring or stuffy. Fun, fast and fabulous, I dont understand why more people arent in love... thats okay because I love having a car that makes a statement the individual.

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  Great Convertible - 2000 Volvo C70
  By Jay Arthur Thompson - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I love the car. The car has has no problems and only seen scheduled maintenance. For a convertable, it is spacious and sporty.

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  what we wanted! - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Joe Alutto - November 8 - 8:43 am

  The 2016 XC-90 rides well, has incredible comfortable seats, all 7 of them! Cargo capacity is fine and acceleration a pleasant surprise given the relatively small engine. MPG has been in the 23 mpg around town and 26-27 on the highway. The dealer claims we can use regular gas but we have been using premium as indicated in the user manual. There have been four or five software updates during the 18,000 miles we have used the car but the dealership has been very helpful in explaining what needed to be done and why. The navigation system is no better than others we have experienced and voice control sometimes seems to only respond to a foreign language I do not know! My wife and I love the car and hope to run it for many years as we have with all our cars.

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  LOVE AND AMAZING FOR THE MONEY - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By ELISEO - November 4 - 5:00 pm

  Beautiful interior, extremely fun to drive, perform excellent & better that MB, Audi, & VW (I tested & drie all). Safe for all, including the kids. Seats excellent can not be better. I have respiratory problems and the air inside is soo clean for the new air system is amazing. Friend this car is amazing.

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  the ultimate in stealth high performance - 2005 Volvo V70
  By micron26 - November 4 - 6:50 am

  Its incredibly versatile with ample space and the 4C suspension setup, and has tremendous performance in third and fourth gear. Lag is noticeable at low RPM, particularly in first and second gear, but very few cars of any stripe can stay with this one once it gets going. It also boasts the best (support, comfort) seats Ive ever sat in (my wife concurs), and has a pleasing design inside and out. Many a BMV/MB/Audi have watched my back end disappear in the distance, and the shocked looks from SUV drivers expecting to blow my slow Volvo wagon off the road remain priceless. Also has a great NAV system and shifter. All of this refers to the MT: beware the AT (GT), its much slower.

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  Fun and Safety - 2008 Volvo C30
  By chefdude - November 3 - 8:20 pm

  Oh what fun it is to ride... knowing youre surrounded by all those safety features! Had the C30 for a month and love it. The seats are unbelievably comfy and the front legroom is spacious (if no one is in the back seat). If you have a dog check to see if he can get climb up the hatch because is quite high off the ground. Power and handling are super. Engine and transmission feel responsive yet flexible; can shift from 2nd straight to 6th gear on freeway, no problem. Clutch is easy to push, wont fatigue leg. Stock stereo is powerful and has aux input for any mp3 player. Cabin storage a little tight but helps with clutter. Altogether a nice car, Im very happy with my purchase.